Five Gates On Folsom Dam Opened To Prepare For Rain
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The water level on the American River and Lake Natoma rose again today following the opening of two more gates of Folsom Dam.
Three gates were opened on Monday, and in the 10 a.m. hour on Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation opened two more. The last time this anywhere close to this much water was released was in 2012.
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Spokesman Shane Hunt says the water has to be released to give new rain a place to go, especially with more storms looming in the next week.
"Otherwise, we'd totally fill the reservoir in the next 10 days," he said.
Folsom Lake has risen from 14 percent capacity in December to 68 percent.
While the rising lake water is a sight to see for many families, officials are keeping safe water levels their number one priority. They urge people to stay away from waterways.